Portsmouth City Council is set to consider establishing a friendship link with Birzeit in the West Bank, following a motion passed in December 2023 supporting Palestinian solidarity alongside the city’s existing Israeli connection.
The council is advancing plans to forge a new friendship agreement with Birzeit, a historically significant town situated approximately 10 kilometres north of Ramallah in the West Bank.
This initiative stems from a December 2023 motion where councillors expressed solidarity with Palestinian people and directed officers to explore establishing ties with a Palestinian community—complementing Portsmouth’s longstanding twin city relationship with Haifa, Israel, formed in 1963.
Proposal Details
The upcoming report to councillors recommends Birzeit as the preferred partner, citing the town’s rich cultural heritage and historical significance. The British Palestine Friendship and Twinning Network (BPFTN) backs the proposal, whilst local Birzeit leaders and organisations have shown preliminary enthusiasm.
“A link with Birzeit would demonstrate balance to our existing link with Haifa in Israel which was established in 1963,” states the council report.
Educational Opportunities
Birzeit hosts one of Palestine’s premier universities alongside a significant museum dedicated to Palestinian culture and heritage. The report identifies mutual interests between Portsmouth and Birzeit, particularly in educational and community outreach programmes, noting potential partnerships between the University of Portsmouth and Birzeit University.
The arrangement would commence as a friendship link, with possibilities for elevation to full sister city status in future.
Councillor Concerns
Several councillors have requested additional time and information before reaching a final decision, concerns first raised in May. The report acknowledges these reservations, stating: “It is acknowledged that the political situation in all areas of Palestine makes it more challenging to put in place demonstrable and documentable benefits.”
The document continues: “However the proposal for this link was put forward to provide balance with our existing link with Haifa and as a practical way of demonstrating our solidarity with the Palestinian people.”
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Current International Links
Portsmouth maintains fifteen international connections through twin, sister, and friendship city arrangements. Despite ending dedicated twinning funding in 2014, the council continues providing support through service budgets and external partnerships.
Council representatives have already engaged with religious and academic figures in Birzeit, receiving positive responses to the partnership proposal.
The Twinning Advisory Group will discuss the proposal at their meeting on 23rd June.
